CBD and sport, this synergy can be the key to improving muscle recovery, but also to improving physical performance.

CBD is in fashion and even more so in the world of sports. This is due to the different studies that have been published on the properties of CBD. Today we already know the effects of CBD on high-performance athletes and the benefits they provide. Later in this article, we will talk about the high-performance athletes who use it and their testimonials. We will begin by defining the concepts and the synergy between CBD and sport.

What is CBD?

Hemp has been used by humans for thousands of years. But it was not until the 20th century that it began to be studied. In 1964, Raphael Mechoulam managed to isolate and synthesize the structure of CBD and THC. At that time they began to discover the properties and benefits of cannabinoids in the human body. The best-known cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

Unlike THC, Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid (phyto=plant derivative) that does not get high. This is stated by the World Health Organization in their November 2019 report state that CBD is neither harmful to health nor addictive. The WHO also recognizes that it has very promising effects in terms of its medicinal and therapeutic use as it has a multitude of benefits and properties among which are its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, and anxiolytic effects.

What are the benefits of CBD?

CBD has the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic
• Antioxidant
• Anxiolytic
• Anticonvulsant
• Neuroprotective
• Anti-nausea and antiemetic

What is CBD used for in sports?

For quite some time now, athletes have been using CBD to reduce recovery time. When a person practices sports, the body is subjected to great effort. Joints, tendons, and muscles can suffer and small injuries can occur. What marks how far an athlete can go, is his ability to recover. The sooner he recovers, the sooner he can return to training or competition. Athletes use CBD for inflammations, chronic pains, nausea, muscle relaxation…

CBD interacts with cannabinoid receptors. To this day it is still unknown exactly how it interacts, but researchers have discovered that, although it does not bind directly, CBD influences the CB1 and CB2 receptors, activating them in a certain way that promotes the healthy function of our endocannabinoid system and offers the properties of CBD at a global level (anxiolytic, antioxidant, antibacterial, etc…). It has also been discovered that CBD affects another cannabinoid receptor, the TRPV1 receptor, responsible for our body’s response to pain and inflammation. This is the origin of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Analgesic properties: CBD attacks pain. It interacts with the receptors and mediates pain signals, so you stop feeling discomfort. This property is very helpful for athletes with chronic pain, helping them to suffer less in their workouts. If you found this article interesting about CBD, it is very likely you will enjoy further reading at Health well being.

Anti-inflammatory properties: In recent years many athletes have stopped using ibuprofen and have switched to CBD because it does not have so many side effects on the body. Muscle inflammations are very common among athletes.

Anti-nausea properties: In high-intensity training, it is normal to suffer feelings of dizziness and nausea, due to the great physical effort exerted by athletes in training and competitions. Some studies confirm the great effectiveness of CBD in suppressing the urge to vomit.

Antioxidant properties: These properties help to have a faster recovery because they directly affect fatigue and stiffness. CBD can help you reduce stiffness after physical exercise.